Every time it rains, fertilizers, herbicides, bacteria from pet waste, and chemicals flow from our properties into local waterways. This pollution can make it unsafe for people and wildlife. Join other residents of the James River watershed in becoming a River Hero Home to protect the health and beauty of our local streams and rivers.

Become a River Hero Home today! It’s easy, It’s fun and you’ll be helping to protect the health and beauty of local streams and the James River.

Amber EllisWatershed Restoration Manager

RIVER

The James River is Virginia’s largest river, flowing across the entire state. It’s also the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. Each year, millions of family members and friends visit the James to boat, fish, hike and enjoy its beautiful scenery together.

HERO

Stormwater runoff continues to be one of the largest threats facing the James River. Becoming a River Hero Home is a simple way to help protect the James River to ensure its health and enjoyment for future generations.

HOME

River Hero Homes is a community of stewards that realize the first step to a cleaner James River starts in their own backyard. Take steps to improve your home and become a hero for your community and your river.

Native Plant Nursery Highlight – TreeLab

Meet TreeLab, the newest nursery that is offering a 20% discount to JRA's River Hero Home members! TreeLab is the Enrichmond Foundation’s one-year-old urban nursery growing trees and plants to beautify and improve the City of Richmond. In late 2016, Enrichmond took...

James River Tree-Athlon

Volunteer to help us plant 3,000 trees this spring! The James River Association, in partnership with the Robert E Lee and Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation Districts, will be planting 3,000 trees at farms along various tributaries of the James River this...

Winter Interest in the Native Garden

We all want a garden that looks great year round, but it can be hard to visualize the winter landscape when you are out in the garden planting in fall and spring. It is normal for plants to go dormant during the winter and for there to be more open space in your...

Volunteering for the James

Volunteers play a huge role in helping the James River Association achieve its mission. Much of our work would not be possible without the knowledge and dedication of our volunteers. Whether it is a trash cleanup, water quality testing, invasive species management,...

(Re)Connect to Nature

Each month we are going to support you in exploring a deeper relationship with nature through connection exercises, upcoming programs, and resources that may offer inspiration and guidance. There is a ton of research that proves our health is improved by a greater...